Bottle Brush Tree Gnome Ornaments
Turn a traditional holiday staple into these adorable bottle brush tree gnome ornaments. Whether you want to use the trees as a beard or a hat, this easy Christmas gnome tutorial has you covered.
Because all bottle brush trees are different, I am sharing three ways to create these Christmas gnome ornaments. You’ll need trees, felt or fleece, ribbon for hanging, and something like a wood bead for a nose.
RELATED READING: The VIRAL Christmas Gnome Ornaments
What You'll Find On This Page
Dollar Tree Bottle Brush Gnomes
Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, I had a very famous (infamous around here) failed DIY. I wanted to bleach bottle brush trees to color them bright, rainbow colors for a fun display. Instead, bleached EVERYTHING ELSE (including everything I was wearing) when I dropped the container. Good times.
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Needless to say, I have shied away from the vintage holiday decor ever since. But today’s bottle brush craft is s much easier (no bleach required).
If you love this easy Christmas DIY but can’t get started right now, please use the sharing buttons to save this to a Dollar Tree crafts pin board or share this bottle brush Christmas craft on Facebook. Either way, this adorable holiday gnome DIY will be easy to find when you’re ready to begin.
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RELATED READING: Easy Rope Gnome Ornaments (Check These Out)
Dollar Tree Bottle Brush Gnome Video Tutorial
As more and more people are turning to video to learn to make Christmas decorations, I have created a bottle brush gnome video tutorial and put it on YouTube. The one showing here on this page is an abbreviated version.
If you are a visual learner, I’d love for you to watch it and subscribe to the channel!
Tips for Making a Dollar Tree Gnome Using Bottle Brush Trees
- This Christmas craft idea would look great as a set of ornaments using a varied set of trees. I found this bottle brush tree set and think it would be so much fun to make an entire gnome ornament set for yourself or to give to others.
- If you want to use materials from the dollar store, look at the fuzzy socks, fleece scarves, and other seasonal textiles for the hats.
- I get a lot of questions on gnome noses! For this craft, I am using a wood bead and also these wood flat backs. I like the increased surface area of the wood cabochons to help with stability.
Supplies Needed for This Dollar Tree Christmas Craft Idea
Below are what I used because I had them on hand. Check your stash before heading out to the store, including your closet. Some great fabric finds could be hiding in there.
- Bottle Brush Trees (this set has a good selection of colors and sizes)
- Faux Fur (I used this gold fur)
- Fleece (or Other Fabric)
- Wood Flat Backs or Beads
- Hot Glue Gun
- Scissors
RELATED READING: Pompom Gnome Ornaments – Cute and Quick
How to Make DIY Bottle Brush Gnome Ornaments
Below are the step by step instructions for making a dollar tree Christmas gnome ornament with these cute vintage trees. Keep this page open and follow along, using the comments section below for questions or suggestions.
To create a bottle brush gnome with the tree as the beard, follow the steps below. For other styles, watch the video or scroll to the printable card at the bottom of this article.
Step 1: Create the Hat and Hanger
Bend over the top of the tree, angling the point down. Create a secure hanger from ribbon or string by tying it directly to the bottle brush tree’s center support. Move the tines out of the way.
Step 2: Cut a Beard
Cut a rectangle piece of faux fur with the X-Acto knife that wraps around the base of the tree entirely.
Step 3: Attach the Gnome Beard
Push up the bottom brushes of the tree so they are out of the way. Glue the fur backing onto the base. It’s okay if it wraps around a bit.
Step 4: Add the Nose
Split the fur to the fabric backing, parting it up and to the side. Use hot glue to secure a gnome nose made from a bead, wood round, pompom, or anything else you’d like to use.
More Gnome Ornament Crafts You Might Like
- How to Make a Gnome Hat – If you need something a bit bigger and maybe a free gnome hat pattern, check this out. There are TONS of ways you can make them (with or without sewing).
- Pinecone Gnome Ornaments – With this free gnome hat pattern, everyone will have a blast making these.
- Macrame Gnome Ornament – Another viral sensation, this easy guy is so elegant.
- Grinch Gnome Ornament – Everyone’s favorite character is so easy to make and put on the tree or packages.
Please Save or Share This Fun Dollar Tree Christmas Craft Idea
Your shares are how this site grows and I am sincerely grateful. Please save this to a DIY holiday crafts pin board or share it with a Dollar Tree crafting group on Facebook.
Bottle Brush Gnomes
Use inexpensive bottle brush tree to create the cutest Christmas gnome ornaments. Pick up the trees and faux fur at the craft store or even the dollar store! You will need a bottle brush tree, faux fur, and something for a nose to make the gnome. Gather a pretty string, ribbon, or twine for the hanger and you will be able to make any of these bottle brush tree gnomes in just minutes using a hot glue gun.
Materials
- Bottle Brush Trees (3)
- Faux Fur (I used this gold color)
- Fabric
- Wood Beads or Flat Backs
- String or Ribbon
Tools
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
- Scissors
- X-Acto (Optional)
Instructions
Bottle Brush Hat Style
- Create a secure hanger from ribbon or string by tying it directly to the bottle brush tree.
Note: if bending the hat, position the hanger so that the center of the bottle brush tree base hangs directly below it. - Cut a piece of faux fur with the X-Acto knife that wraps around the base of the tree entirely.
- Push up the bottom brushes of the tree and glue the fur onto the base.
- Split the fur to the fabric backing and glue on a gnome nose.
Bottle Brush Beard Style
- Cut a piece of fleece (or sock, or scarf, etc.) that is your desired height and wraps around the bottom of the bottle brush tree spines (not the base). When it overlaps, it should be WIDER than the base, aligning with the outside of the spines.
- Flip up the bottom of the fleece (on the wrong side of the fabric) to create a small brim.
- Glue the edges so that they overlap and create a rectangle. The brim is on the bottom. Trim the top even, if needed.
- Tie a hanger and glue it to the inside of the rectangle in the center when bunched up.
- Tie a string or ribbon around the top of the rectangle to close the hat.
- Use hot glue to affix the hat to the bottle brush tree base and the bottom spines.
- Glue a wood bead to the inside edge of the hat brim and also to the wire spine of the tree.
Notes
The bottle brush trees can be used as the beards or as the hats.
Bottle brush trees can be huge or miniature, so pay attention to sizing when ordering online.
